Do you have a sweet tooth? The drink that contains the most sugar can easily be determined using this experiment, which can then provide the basis for a discussion on health and nutrition.

Teaching the activity
The more sugar that there is in a liquid, the heavier it becomes in relation to how much space it takes up. A liquid with a lower sugar content will therefore be able to settle on top of a liquid with a higher sugar content. The greater the differences in sugar content, the easier it is to get the liquids to stack.

In this experiment fruit juice, cordial, fizzy drink and milk have to be stacked on top of each other to determine which one contains the most sugar. Note that there is actually more sugar in fruit juice than in fizzy drink! See the attached step-by-step guide, which explains how to get going with the activity.

The activity can easily be carried out by children. Consider letting them try out three different sequences of liquids. Which sequence works? The activity can then be used as the basis for a discussion on nutrition and drinking habits.

Other activity suggestions
This experiment is part of Professor Jumpalot’s mission, which is a roleplay for children on nutrition and health.

Other similar experiments include ‘Sugar Water Tasting’ and ‘Red Cabbage Indicator’.

Materials

• Fruit juice (cold)Fizzy drink (cold)
• Full-cream milk (organic or unhomogenised)
• Cordial (with sugar)
• 1 large clear jar, plastic cup or large test tube1 spoon (for pouring the liquid over)

Educational goals
This is a spectacular experiment that demonstrates something about the properties of sugar. The children get a real idea of how much sugar there is in fizzy drink.